For more information, contact:
Debra Seifert Communications LLC
(US) Debra Seifert: +1 (503) 626-7539
debra@debraseifert.com
(Europe) Helen Duncan: +44 (0)7765 250610
helen@debraseifert.com
Aeroflex Limited
Rachel Atack
+44 (0)1438 742200
rachel.atack@aeroflex.com
FOR PRINT AND ONLINE RELEASE: November 13, 2012
Aeroflex Launches Modular WLAN 802.11ac Test System
with 160 MHz Bandwidth
New PXI hardware and software supports waveform generation and analysis over
160 MHz bandwidth up to 6 GHz
ELECTRONICA, MUNICH, GERMANY—November 13, 2012— Aeroflex
Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aeroflex Holding Corp. (NYSE:ARX),
announced today a new test system based on its PXI 3000 Series modular
instrumentation, which has been designed to offer measurements over a 160 MHz
bandwidth at operating frequencies up to 6 GHz. The new system is particularly
suited for making R&D, design verification, and production measurements on
wireless LAN (WLAN) devices based on the IEEE 802.11ac standard, extending
Aeroflex’s market-leading 802.11ac measurement capability in PXI to cover the
optional 160 MHz bandwidth.
WLAN 802.11ac promises data rates up to 10 times higher than those offered
by the current 802.11n standard. The 802.11ac standard defines three wide
bandwidth variants: a mandatory 80 MHz bandwidth; a non-contiguous 80+80 MHz
option; and an optional 160 MHz contiguous bandwidth. It also introduces highdensity modulation, optionally up to 256QAM, and higher order Multiple-Input,
Multiple-Output (MIMO) with the option of up to eight spatial streams.
Aeroflex Launches Modular WLAN 802.11ac Test System with 160 MHz
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In addition to wider bandwidth measurements, the new test system offers
best-in-class phase noise performance and a simplified programming API.
Frequency and levelling switching are also faster than has previously been available.
The WLAN 802.11ac test system comprises the Aeroflex 3070 high performance
vector signal analyzer and the 3050/3320 high performance vector signal generator,
and is housed in the new PXI 3005 Smart PXI Chassis with universal AC power
supply. When used with the WLAN 802.11ac Measurement Suite and IQCreator®,
the test system provides complete waveform generation and analysis capability for
high bandwidth 802.11ac WLAN devices. Both these software suites have been
upgraded to handle measurements over a 160 MHz bandwidth.
“IEEE 802.11ac is forecast to replace 802.11n as the most popular WLAN
standard by 2014, due to the much higher data rate enabled by the wider bandwidth
and higher order modulation, as well as the option of up to 8x8 MIMO streams,” said
Pi Huang, Product Manager at Aeroflex. “In order to test these new features, a new
generation of test equipment is needed. The PXI 3000 Series provides the ideal
platform for these high bandwidth measurements in both R&D and manufacturing
environments.”
PXI 3000 Series WLAN 802.11ac Test System Performance
The 3070 high performance vector signal analyzer operates over a frequency
range of 250 MHz to 6 GHz with a 160 MHz bandwidth. Typical noise floor is
-160 dBm/Hz.
The 3050/3320 high performance vector signal generator operates over
100 kHz to 6 GHz with a 200 MHz bandwidth and up to +20 dBm output power.
Typical noise floor is -150 dBm/Hz.
Both 3070 and 3050 have class leading phase noise of -135 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz
with 20 kHz offset and have a build-in oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO)
frequency reference.
Measuring Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) requires the residual EVM of the
test equipment to be at least 5 dB below the EVM specification of the device under
test, which for 256QAM is -32 dB maximum. The PXI 3000 Series test system
Aeroflex Launches Modular WLAN 802.11ac Test System with 160 MHz
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comfortably achieves this, with typical residual EVM of -42 dB for 80 MHz and -38 dB
for 160 MHz for both signal analysis and generation.
Availability
For more information, contact your local Aeroflex sales office by visiting or
calling Aeroflex Sales at (800) 835-2352 [US], +44 (0)1438 742200 [UK], +49 (0)89
996410 [Germany], or info-test@aeroflex.com.
About Aeroflex
Aeroflex Incorporated is a leading global provider of high performance
microelectronic components and test and measurement equipment used by
companies in the space, avionics, defense, commercial wireless communications,
medical and other markets.
Forward Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release
regarding Aeroflex’s business strategy, financial results and plans and objectives of its
management for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this press
release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar
expressions, as they relate to Aeroflex or its management, identify forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of Aeroflex’s
management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to its
management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forwardlooking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to, adverse
developments in the global economy; changes in government spending; dependence on
growth in customers’ businesses; the ability to remain competitive in the markets Aeroflex
serves; the inability to continue to develop, manufacture and market innovative, customized
products and services that meet customer requirements for performance and reliability; any
failure of suppliers to provide raw materials and/or properly functioning component parts; the
inability to meet covenants contained in debt agreements; the termination of key contracts,
including technology license agreements, or loss of key customers; the inability to protect
intellectual property; the failure to comply with regulations such as International Traffic in
Arms Regulations and any changes in regulations; the failure to realize anticipated benefits
from completed acquisitions, divestitures or restructurings, or the possibility that such
acquisitions, divestitures or restructurings could adversely affect Aeroflex; the loss of key
employees; exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risks; and terrorist acts or acts of
war. Such statements reflect the current views of management with respect to the future
and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Aeroflex does not
undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Any projections in this
Aeroflex Launches Modular WLAN 802.11ac Test System with 160 MHz
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release are based on limited information currently available to Aeroflex, which is subject to
change. Although any such projections and the factors influencing them will likely change,
Aeroflex will not necessarily update the information, since Aeroflex will only provide guidance
at certain points during the year.